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Danks improves velocity in extended spring start

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Danks looks forward to 2013 1:43

White Sox pitcher John Danks talks about bouncing back from injury and he shares his goals for 2013

By Scott Merkin
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MLB.com |

WASHINGTON -- John Danks made his third start since the White Sox broke camp Tuesday afternoon in extended spring training in Arizona, and saw a slight jump in velocity, according to manager Robin Ventura.

"I think it was like 89 [mph]. He was sitting around 87 before, so he was up around 89, which is good," said Ventura, who heard of Danks' outing through pitching coach Don Cooper. "He threw well. He threw six innings. Got a little bit more on his velocity. Threw well, felt great.

"That's one of those things where you start seeing the velocity and he still feels good doing it, extending him out. I think he was up over 70 pitches. That's the good news, and he did well."

Danks is scheduled to throw again Sunday, staying on the every-fifth-day routine as he improves his velocity and command in the wake of season-ending arthroscopic surgery last August. While he's still a ways from rejoining the team as an active player, the southpaw will likely join the White Sox in Chicago on April 19, when they return from this 10-game road trip.

"We like seeing him, too. He's a big part of this. He's a good teammate," Ventura said. "It's good for him to have that on his mind to be able to be part of the team and come up and support."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.